Via
Sacra

The Via Sacra or Sacred Way is the main street and the
widest street in the Forum.

In the fifth century B.C., the road was supported by a
substructure to protect it from the rain. Later it was paved and during
the reign of Nero it was lined with colonnades.

This road was the setting for many deeds and misdeeds of
Rome's history, the solemn religious festivals, the magnificent triumphs
of victorious generals, and the daily throng assembling in the Basilicas
to chat, throw dice, engage in business, or secure justice.

Horace relates the story of once when he was strolling
down the Sacred Way, a man rushed up, greeted him, and continued to walk
by his side. Although Horace tried to evade his companion, walking first
quickly, then slowly, whispering to his servant that he was going to the
country and did not wish to take the stranger out of his way, the companion
refused to take the hint. A friend of Horace's walked up and took note of
Horace's situation. The friend decided it was a good joke, he purposely
hurried away, leaving Horace to the mercies of the bore. Fortunately for
the poet, however, a man who was engaged in a lawsuit with Horace's would-be
companion, appeared around the corner and dragged the fellow off to court.
"Thus did Apollo rescue me," says the poet.